Influence of Grain on Green Patterns and Their Underlying Surface Characteristics on Water Conservation: A Case Study in a Semiarid Area

• DOI: 10.3390/f14102020
• Publication Date: 2023-10-09T09:07:13Z
• Authors: Tianshi Pan; Shibo Wang; Lijun Zuo; Qiang Liu
• Keywords: Reforestation; Afforestation; Restoration Ecology

Water-conservation enhancement is a crucial objective of regional ecological restoration projects in arid and semiarid areas, it significantly influenced by land use/cover change (LUCC). The Grain for Green Project (GFGP) common strategy restoration. However, insufficient attention has been paid to the impact reforestation patterns underlying surface characteristics on effectiveness GFGP enhancing water conservation. In this study, Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) scenario-based simulation was conducted assess changes water-conservation depth (WCD) Zhangjiakou section Guanting Reservoir basin. Redundancy analysis (RDA) mixed linear model were employed determine effects different their slope gradient soil-type WCD variation. results showed that there differences effect vegetation types changes; increased conservation associated with adaptation plants characteristics. Returning farmland evergreen forests most effective approach, leading relative increase 2.6 times greater than total WCD. decreased gradient, decreasing 0.2 mm every 1° slope. Converting grassland slopes 16.19° converting deciduous less would further WCD, promoting synergistic development ecosystem services. This study provides insights into more efficient strategies enhance complex terrain area.